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Suvarnabhumi Archive for August, 2006


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Moving to Suvarnabhumi

Thursday, August 31st, 2006

The national carrier is finalizing its plans for moving to Bangkok’s new international airport, Suvarnabhumi, as the official opening day is drawing near. The plan involves transferring avionic equipment and staff of up to 300 companies in one lot from the present Don Muang International Airport to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, located 30 kilometers east of Bangkok. The equipment will need to be installed and ready to operate by 0600 hr on 28 September 2006.

In the case of Thai Airways, there will be a total of 2,929 articles of equipments and 27 aircraft to be transferred on the night of 27 September to officially kick start the operation at the new location.

Some 44 aircraft of other airlines would also need to be transferred to the new airport on the day. The first lot of staff to operate at Suvarnabhumi would total around 17,000.

At least 28 days should be set aside to transfer the above items in order to minimize chances of errors in the operations. Should there be a delay in the transfer and hence operations, it is expected to be within a 5-10 minute range, which is equal to that of international standards.

The moving plan is divided into three phases.

The first phase commenced in mid-August. In this phase, technical equipment, office equipment, and aircraft parts which are not required in the daily operation were transferred from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi Airport in 1,248 allotments.

The second phase will take place six hours prior to the official opening, to transfer tools and equipment which are used regularly, such as those in the airfields, cargos and kitchens. The third phase, beginning after the opening, would clear out the remaining equipment and aircraft parts in Don Muang airfield and transfer them to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Six companies have been hired to execute this colossal plan at a cost of 99.4 million baht.

Further preparations for the new airport includes the plan to fly in Thai Airways’ special flights from Hong Kong and Singapore on 1 September. Additionally, from 15 September onwards the following flights will be operating from Suvarnabhumi daily: Bangkok-Phitsanulok TG 8860, TG 8862 and TG 8864; Phitsanulok-Bangkok TG 8861, TG 8863 and TG 8865; Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani TG 8868; Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok TG8863; Bangkok-Chiang Mai TG 8870; and Chiang Mai-Bangkok TG 8871.

The other components of the airport are also progressing to their completion stage. The Transport Minister has assured everyone that the first phase of the cargo terminal would be ready by the official opening of the airport. The second phase is under construction on a 49-rai plot of land and is expected to be complete within one year from the opening of Suvarnabhumi.

The new cargo terminal, two to three times the size of the one at Don Muang, would be able to support a greater volume of export goods and bring in an estimated 200-300 billion baht a year.
By: Thailand Official News & Information



Attractions around Suvarnabhumi Airport Prepared for Tourists

Thursday, August 31st, 2006

Suvarnabhumi Airport is expected to open toward the end of September. Meanwhile, tourism sites located in neighbor areas of the new international airport have been preparing to serve a number of tourists as a good place to take a short trip before boarding their flight.

Suvarnabhumi Attractions

(Picture by Bangkoktourist.com)

According to the Tourism Authority of the Central Region, several trips to nearby attractions, located not more than 100 kilometers from the airport, will be available for visitors.

Instead of waiting for their flight at the airport from 3 to 10 hours, the travelers will be provided with three-to-four-hour round trips visiting well-known attractions nearby.

These short trips include Bang Pakong River cruises in the eastern Chachoengsao Province. The three-hour trip of 25 kilometers starts from Chachoengsao’s Muang District to view local people going about their normal daily lives along the river. The route passes some interesting places, including Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, the location of the sacred Phra Phutthasothon Buddha image, and the hundred-year-old Ban Mai riverside market.

In addition, Samut Prakan Province, in which the new Suvarnabhumi Airport is located, includes several well-known attractions as well. Among them is the Ancient City, the world’s biggest open-air museum, which houses scaled-down replicas of Thailand’s important historical sites, and the Erawan Museum of the mythical three-headed elephant, where sacred objects of the land are exhibited. The other major tourism site is the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo, which has been well-known for years as Thailand’s first crocodile farm and one of the largest in the world.

Besides, several attractions in Chon Buri Province are reported ready to serve an increased number of foreign tourists from Suvarnabhumi Airport, including Bang Saen Beach, Pattaya Beach, and Si Racha District.

The Suvarnabhumi Airport is located in Bang Phli District of Samut Prakan Province, approximately 25 kilometers east of Bangkok.



New Airport fees for Suvarnabhumi Airport

Monday, August 28th, 2006

The international departure tax would be increased by Bt200 to Bt700 and domestic passengers would incur a Bt100 fee, up from a current Bt50. The increase would be effective from February 1, 2007.

Bangkok-Airport-FeeNew Bangkok Airport FeeAOT operates Suvarnabhumi Airport. It had planned to introduce the new taxes upon the opening of the new airport on September 28. Meanwhile, new landing fees levied on aircraft using the airport would be imposed from April 1, 2007. That is a six-month delay from the original schedule.

AOT said it was postponing the new fee to attract airlines to Suvarnabhumi. The new landing fee is a 15-per-cent increase on that charged at Don Muang airport.

AOT explained earlier that fees at Suvarnabhumi Airport needed to be raised due to the greater amenities and facilities that would be provided. After 40 years in the making Suvarnabhumi has cost Bt150 billion. It is scheduled to start operations on September 28.



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